5 Easy Tips on How to Care for your Baby’s Hair

While some babies are born almost bald, others are born with a full head of hair. Some are born with soft, thin hair, while some soon grow thick, curly hair. However, due to hormonal changes, you will soon notice that your baby will shed most of his/her hair within the first six months. When this happens, don’t fret. After the initial hair loss within the first six months, your baby’s hair will soon grow back. However, the hair that grows back might be quite different in texture and even colour when compared to the hair he/she had as a newborn. Here are some simple every day tips on how to care for your baby’s delicate hair and keep it healthy and nourished.

1. Shampoo only when required
Baby’s scalp does not get dirty very easily and hence does not need to be washed often. In fact, over-washing can dry it out further. Wash your baby’s hair only once or twice a week with a mild tear-free baby shampoo. Once they pass the 6-month mark, they might start moving around more and get a little messier. At this point, you can increase the frequency of the hair wash and shampoo hair as and when required. When washing your baby’s hair, gently massage the shampoo into the scalp. If your baby is not fond of taking a hair wash, gently wipe off the shampoo with a wet washcloth instead of using a mug of water. Always dry your baby’s hair by gently patting it with a towel and not rubbing it vigorously.

2. Treat cradle cap
A lot of babies suffer from ‘cradle cap’, a condition where the scalp becomes dry, flaky and scaly. To treat this, continue with a hair wash twice a week. Gently massage your baby’s scalp daily with a soft baby brush or your fingers to promote circulation. You can even gently rub your baby’s scalp with a pediatrician-recommended oil or baby massage oil. If the condition worsens, consult your pediatrician on what steps to take next.

3. Avoid bald spots caused by friction
As your baby is constantly lying down on his/her back, he/she could develop a bald spot at the back of the head due to friction. You can prevent this from happening by changing baby’s position every now and then.

4. Taming & Untangling
Always use a separate wide-toothed baby comb for your little one so as not to injure their delicate scalp. If your baby has curly locks that are hard to tame, gently comb after bath-time to untangle it easily. Regular haircuts can also help your baby’s hair look healthy and neat. If your baby has short hair with tiny wisps that keep falling on the face, just trim those locks a little to keep them comfortable.

5. Choose a Hypoallergenic,Tear-free and Alkaline- free Shampoo
Baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and it’s very important to use mild baby products that are formulated especially for your baby’s gentle scalp. Tear – free shampoos leave out certain surfactants that cause irritation to the baby’s eyes and scalp. Look for a newborn baby shampoo which is safe, hypoallergenic and has a mild tear-free formulation.It is also important to choose an alkaline- free shampoo for babies because alkaline tends to be harsher on baby’s delicate scalp and tresses.Click here to buy our tear-free Softsens Baby Shampoo that is 100% soap-free, alkali-free, hypoallergenic, tear-free and suitable for all skin types!

What are your favourite baby haircare tips? Share your experiences below.